Movie Review by Vivienne Messenger
Starring: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez, Erik Per Sullivan, Myra Lucretia Taylor
Director: Adrian Lyne
UNFAITHFUL is the latest movie to be directed by Adrian Lyne, who also brought FATAL ATTRACTION to the screens 15 years ago, which had wives worried and suspicious of their husbands’ fidelity and husbands treading carefully before having a one night stand. UNFAITHFUL comes from the completely opposite perspective with husband Edward Sumner (Richard Gere) instinctively sensing his wife Connie (Diane Lane) is having an affair. His gut reaction is confirmed when he hires a private detective to spy on his wife and the subsequent photos taken, lay all bare (excuse the pun).
Does UNFAITHFUL have the same impact as FATAL ATTRACTION? Unfortunately, no. The movie is fairly slow paced to say the least with so many exciting tangents and possibilities that could have been followed but instead were only touched upon briefly and not explored further, which would have given a far more exciting ending. The police investigation highlighted this. Were the only clues to Connie having been connected to her lover, Paul Martel (Olivier Martinez) from the fact that her name was written on the pad beside the phone at his apartment and that she got a parking ticket when the meter ran out after she parked near his place? Why were no finger prints, bodily fluids or hair etc etc found in her lover’s apartment?
However the movie was well acted by all the main cast – Richard Gere, Olivier Martinez and Eric Per Sullivan. Diane Lane was especially good – portraying Connie’s increasing obsession with Paul in preference to her husband Edward and the increasing guilt that finally engulfed her.
I did nonetheless enjoy UNFAITHFUL but it probably appeals more to women – a ‘chick-flick’ movie. However the ending was disastrous. I felt suspended in mid air, waiting for a conclusion to tie-up the loose ends and nothing… Too much was left unanswered and I felt completely deflated. Are they intending to make a sequel or… what were they thinking? You’ll have to see it to decide for yourself – just don’t have too many expectations!
